Fire protection cabinet assembly

ABSTRACT

A fire protection cabinet assembly having a number of lined up fire protection cabinets. The fire protection cabinets are provided, in the form of fireproof wall elements, with a front door, a ceiling element, a floor element, a rear wall or a rear door and with at least one frame. The frame surrounds the front door and, optionally, the rear door and the frame has frame elements that are at least vertical. The fire protection cabinets that form the lateral termination are provided, on their free lateral exteriors, with lateral walls that are fireproof as well, and a seal is arranged in the area of abutting surfaces of the lined up fire protection cabinets. This invention accomplishes, during a fire, a reliable sealing even between the abutting locations. Thus, the fireproof seal includes sealing sets, which are arranged on the periphery between the abutting surface, and include, on the interior, fireproof sealing modules, which have fire protection material, which rest against the abutting locations and which laterally project beyond the abutting locations. A coupling is used to join the sealing modules to the adjacent wall elements on both sides of the abutting locations.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] 1. Field of the Invention

[0002] This invention relates to a fire protection cabinet assembly,having a plurality of fire protection cabinets lined up with oneanother, which have, as fireproof wall elements, a front door, a ceilingelement, a floor element, a rear wall or rear door. At last one frameextends around the front door and optionally around the rear door, theframe has at least vertical frame elements, and the fire protectioncabinets forming the lateral termination have fireproof side walls ontheir free lateral outsides. A seal extends all the way around in theregion of abutting surfaces of the fire protection cabinets lined upwith one another.

[0003] 2. Discussion of Related Art

[0004] A fire protection cabinet assembly is disclosed in German PatentReference DE 198 55 931 A1. The individual fire protection cabinets,lined up with one another, have fireproof wall elements, with layeredfireproof material disposed between an outer sheet-metal lining and aninner sheet-metal lining. In the event of a fire the materialcounteracts excessive heat development in the interior of the cabinetfor a length of time prescribed by a standard, so that particularlyelectronic devices in the cabinet remain unharmed. Abutting placesbetween the wall elements, such as side elements, frame elementsadjoining them, a floor element and a ceiling element, are sealed offwith sealing elements, which are high-temperature-proof to protectagainst fire. There is no sealing between cabinets lined up with oneanother.

[0005] German Patent Reference DE 3344 598 C1 describes theintroduction, of sealing elements, for instance H-shaped, on abuttingframe legs between lined-up switch cabinets, but the cabinets are notfire protection cabinets.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] One object of this invention is to provide a fire protectioncabinet assembly of the type defined above but which, particularly atthe abutting surfaces of the lined-up protection cabinets as well,assures high protection against fire.

[0007] This object is attained with characteristics discussed in theclaims and in this specification. The fireproofing sealing has sealingsets which extend all the way around between the abutting surfaces, andfireproof sealing modules have fireproof material, which are placed onthe abutting places on the inside and protrude laterally beyond them andare connected on both sides of the abutting places to the adjoining wallelements by coupling means.

[0008] Thus, a reliable fireproofing seal is assured, particularly atthe abutting places of the lined-up protection cabinets.

[0009] With a simple structure, a reliable heat shield is assuredbecause the wall elements are each embodied as a cassette, with an innersheet-metal lining and an outer sheet-metal lining and at least onelayer of fireproof material received between them.

[0010] Both for inserting the side walls and for inserting the front andrear doors or rear wall, simple, easily sealed transitions can be formedwith the vertical frame elements having an angular cross section andbeing connected to one another at their legs associated with the sidewalls by connecting means. Particularly in the region of doors, but ifdesired also in the region of the side walls, the frame can have lowerand/or upper horizontal frame elements. The connecting means, such as acontinuous threaded rod with screws screwed laterally onto it, in theregion of the legs of the angular frame elements produces a stable,clamping connection which withstands even strong forces upon heatdevelopment.

[0011] A simple, stable connection of the wall elements to one anotherand also of the sealing modules to the wall elements in the region ofthe abutting places is achieved with parts of espagnolette locksinserted into the abutting surfaces, oriented toward the side walls, ofthe vertical corner elements and/or of the floor elements and ceilingelements. The parts are brought or can be brought into engagement withfurther parts of espagnolette locks that for bracing with inserted sidewalls or the sealing modules placed on the abutting surfaces are broughtor can be brought into engagement with further parts of the espagnolettelocks that are inserted into the sealing modules at opposed points.Sealing sets are also disposed between the abutting surfaces of thevertical corner elements, of the ceiling elements, and of the floorelements and the adjoining faces of the side walls. There is thus a dualuse of the espagnolette locks.

[0012] If the sealing sets have a fireproof seal, which inflates uponheat development, and a moisture seal toward the outside of the switchcabinet assembly, then near the abutting surfaces as well, afireproofing seal is attained, by which both fire gases and moisture areprevented from entering the interior.

[0013] Simple assembly is promoted with the sealing modules having anouter sheet-metal lining of C-shaped cross section, and from a basesurface, disposed toward the interior of the switch cabinet assembly.Lateral legs are canted at a right angle and from them, flangelike endlegs, oriented toward one another with their free ends, are bent at aright angle. At least one layer of fireproof material is disposed in theinterior of the sheet-metal lining. The sealing modules can be producedeasily and mounted at the abutting places of the protection cabinet.

[0014] The vertical corner elements, at least in the region of theirlongitudinal edges oriented toward the side walls, and the floorelements and the ceiling elements, at least in the region of their sideedges adjoining one another, are provided, in the direction of thicknessof these wall elements, with a shoulder that accommodates lining up,U-shaped rooms that are formed. At least one layer of fireproof materialis placed in the U-shaped rooms, and not only is there a simple,unambiguous disposition of side wall elements, ceiling elements, floorelements, and optionally rear wall elements, but the U-shaped roomproduced upon lining up is also securely sealed off.

[0015] Reliable fire protection is promoted because the wall elements,from the outside inward, have a first layer of a first fireproofmaterial, a second layer of a second fireproof material, and a thirdlayer of a third fireproof material. Because the sealing module, fromthe outside inward in their interior with respect to the cabinetassembly, have at least one layer of the second fireproof material and afurther layer of the third fireproof material, the individual layers canbe adapted to one another for heat shielding. For predetermined heatshielding, the least possible wall thickness is possible because ofsimple assembly and occupying the least possible amount of space.

[0016] Reliable sealing is promoted with the layer placed in theU-shaped rooms including the first fireproof material. Between the layerput in place and the adjacent surface of the wall elements, fireproofseals that inflate in response to thermal action are placed over alength of the surface and at least intermittently in cross section overthe surface.

[0017] If the abutting surfaces adjoining one another of the floorelements and ceiling elements have vertically upward- and verticallydownward-oriented free end portions, then the floor elements and ceilingelements can also be joined together in a simple way at the endportions. With the side walls or rear walls inserted, the end portionsserve to fix them. The layer placed in the U-shaped rooms is cut away inthe region of the end portions.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] This invention is described in further detail in view of anexemplary embodiment shown in the drawings, wherein:

[0019]FIG. 1 is a partly cut away front view of a fire protectioncabinet assembly;

[0020]FIG. 2 is a top view of the fire protection cabinet assembly;

[0021]FIG. 3 is a cross section of a detail of the cabinet assembly inthe region of an abutting surface of vertical corner elements; and

[0022]FIG. 4 is a cross section of a detail of the cabinet assembly inthe region of abutting floor elements.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0023]FIG. 1 shows a fire protection cabinet assembly 1, with protectioncabinets 2 lined up with one another. The protection cabinets 2 eachhave one front door 2.2, vertical frame elements 2.3, one floor element2.4, one ceiling element 2.5, and one rear wall or rear door 2.6. Thetwo protection cabinets 2 that form the lateral termination have on theoutside of the cabinet assembly side walls 2.1, which as seen from thecabinet on the right in FIG. 1 are shouldered across their thickness atthe edge at the top and bottom and also across their thickness atvertical edges (not shown) and are inserted into shoulders, adaptedthereto at the edges of the associated floor element 2.4, ceilingelement 2.5, and vertical frame elements 2.3. In the region of or nearthe abutting places of the lined-up cabinets, vertical sealing modules 3and horizontal sealing modules 4 are provided, to assure reliablesealing off of the abutting places in the event of a fire.

[0024] The wall elements, including the side wall 2.1, front door 2.2,frame elements 2.3, floor element 2.4, ceiling element 2.5, and rearwall or rear door 2.6, have an inner sheet-metal lining, oriented towardthe switch cabinet interior, and on their outside an outer sheet-metallining 2.8, and between them they receive, for example, three layers I,II, III, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, of fireproof material adapted to oneanother, which material, even if the structure of the walls isrelatively thin, assures reliable heat shielding to meet a standard fora prescribed length of time. The vertical frame elements 2.3 areembodied as corner elements and have an angular or L-shaped crosssection, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. For fixation of the side walls 2.1,inserted between the frame elements 2.3, floor element 2.4 and ceilingelement 2.5, parts 5.1 and 5.2 of espagnolette locks 5 are inserted intothe abutting surfaces oriented toward one another, specifically in theshoulder region located toward the interior of the protection cabinet.With these parts, simple and fast bracing is attained, as described infurther detail in German Patent Reference DE 198 55 931 A1.

[0025] Corresponding parts 5.2 of the espagnolette locks 5 are alsodisposed at appropriate positions in the vertical and horizontal sealingmodules 3, 4, so that the vertical and horizontal sealing modules 3, 4,by utilizing the espagnolette locks, can be firmly fastened simply andstably along the abutting surfaces, fitting over these surfaces on theinside of the switch cabinet assembly, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4. Thesealing modules 3, 4 have a width equivalent to twice the thickness ofthe side walls 2. 1, for instance, including the gap filled up with asealing set 7 between the abutting surfaces of the lined-up cabinets, sothat they rest approximately flush with the inner linings 2.7 of theframe elements 2.3 or with an imaginary placement line of the side walls2.1 on the floor element 2.4 and ceiling element 2.5, and produce agood, unobtrusive fireproofing seal.

[0026] The sealing sets 7 are inserted between the abutting surfaces ofthe lined-up protection cabinets 2. At least between the vertical andthe upper abutting surfaces, extending in the direction of the depth,the sealing sets 7 have elastic sealing elements 7.1, toward theoutside, with sealing portions resting on both sides of the outer lining2.8, and also have fireproof seals 7.2 further inward, which inflateupon the development of heat and assure secure sealing off against firegases, even in the event that the wall elements warp. As FIG. 4 shows,sealing elements 7.1 that form a moisture protection may be absent onthe underside. In the region of or near the lateral legs of the L-shapedframe elements 2.3, connecting means 6 are also inserted, for instancein the form of continuous threaded rods 6.1. Free ends which protrudebeyond the inner linings 2.7 on both sides, have nuts 6.2 screwed on toprovide bracing.

[0027] As FIG. 4 shows, the vertical abutting surfaces of the floorelements 2.4 and ceiling elements 2.5 are lengthened, oriented towardone another, across the thickness of the outer shoulder region and formU-like receptacles for insertion of the side walls 2.1. The lengthenedend portions can also be used for additionally connecting the lined-upprotection cabinets 2 in the floor and ceiling regions.

[0028] The vertical sealing modules 3 and the horizontal sealing modules4 have sheet-metal linings 3.1 bent into a C-shaped cross section, inthe interior of which, viewed from the outside of the switch cabinetassembly 1, a layer II and a layer III of corresponding fireproofmaterials to the layers II and III of the wall elements are disposed.One further layer I of the corresponding fireproof material to that inthe wall elements is also inserted, as FIGS. 3 and 4 show, into theU-shaped room created by the shoulders when the protection cabinets 2are lined up with one another. Further fireproof seals 7.2 that inflateupon the development of heat are inserted between the flangelike endportions, oriented toward one another, of the end portions of C-shapedcross section of the respective sheet-metal linings 3.1 and 4.1 and theadjacent peripheral regions of the frame elements 2.3 and floor elements2.4 and ceiling elements 2.5. The fireproof seals 7.2 are placed in theU-shaped room between the emplaced layer I of fireproof material and theadjoining surfaces of the wall elements, so that near this region aswell, if heat develops, secure sealing against the entry of fire gasesis assured.

1. A fire protection cabinet assembly (1) having a plurality of fireprotection cabinets (2) lined up with one another, which have asfireproof wall elements, a front door (2.2), a ceiling element (2.5), afloor element (2.4), a rear wall (2.6) or rear door, and at last oneframe extending around one of the front door (2.2) and the rear door,the frame having at least vertical frame elements (2.3), and the fireprotection cabinets (2) forming the a lateral termination havingfireproof side walls (2.1) on free lateral outsides, and a fireproofingsealing extending all the way around and disposed near abutting surfacesof the fire protection cabinets (2) lined up with one another, the fireprotection cabinet assembly (1) comprising the fireproofing sealinghaving a plurality of sealing sets (7), extending all the way aroundbetween the abutting surfaces, and fireproof sealing modules (3, 4) withfireproof material, which are placed on the abutting surfaces on aninside and which protrude laterally beyond are connected on both sidesof the abutting surfaces to the adjoining wall elements by a coupling(5).
 2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the fireproof wall elementseach is embodied as a cassette with an inner sheet-metal lining (2.7)and an outer sheet-metal lining (2.8) and at least one layer (I, II,III) of fireproof material received between the inner sheet-metal lining(2.7) and the outer sheet-metal lining (2.8).
 3. The assembly of claim2, wherein the vertical frame elements (2.3) have an angular crosssection and are connected to one another at legs associated with theside walls (2.1) by a connector (6).
 4. The assembly of claim 3, whereinparts (5.1) of espagnolette locks are inserted into the abuttingsurfaces, oriented toward the side walls (2.1), of at least one of thevertical corner elements (2.3) and the floor elements (2.4) and ceilingelements (2.5), which parts are engageable with further parts (5.2) ofthe espagnolette locks that for bracing with one of the inserted sidewalls (2.1) and the sealing modules (3, 4) placed on the abuttingsurfaces are engageable with the further parts (5.2) of the espagnolettelocks that are inserted into the sealing modules at opposed points; andsealing sets (7) are disposed between the abutting surfaces of thevertical corner elements (2.3), of the ceiling elements (2.5), and ofthe floor elements (2.4) and the adjoining faces of the side walls(2.1).
 5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the sealing sets (7) have afireproof seal (7.2) which inflates when heat develops and a moistureseal (7.1) toward an outside of the switch cabinet assembly (1).
 6. Theassembly of claim 5, wherein the sealing modules (3, 4) have an outersheet-metal lining (3.1, 4.1) of C-shaped cross section and from a basesurface disposed toward the interior of the switch cabinet assembly (1),lateral legs are canted at a right angle, and form flangelike end legsoriented toward one another with their free ends, which are bent at aright angle; and at least one layer (I, II, III) of fireproof materialis disposed in the interior of the sheet-metal lining (3.1, 4.1).
 7. Theassembly of claim 6, wherein the vertical corner elements (2.3), atleast near their longitudinal edges oriented toward the side walls(2.1), and the floor elements (2.4) and the ceiling elements (2.5), atleast near their side edges adjoining one another, are provided, in adirection of thickness of the wall elements, with a shoulder so that inlining up, U-shaped rooms are formed; and at least one layer (I) of thefireproof material is placed in the U-shaped rooms.
 8. The assembly ofclaim wherein the wall elements, from the outside inward, have a firstlayer (I) of a first fireproof material, a second layer (II) of a secondfireproof material, and a third layer (III) of a third fireproofmaterial; and that the sealing module (3, 4), from the outside inward intheir interior with respect to the cabinet assembly (1), have at leastone layer (II) of the second fireproof material and a further layer(III) of the third fireproof material.
 9. The assembly of claim whereinthe layer (I) placed in the U-shaped rooms comprises the first fireproofmaterial; and between the layer (I) and the adjacent surface of the wallelements, fireproof seals (7.2) that inflate in response to a thermalaction are placed over a length of the surface and at leastintermittently in cross section over the surface.
 10. The assembly ofclaim 9, wherein the abutting surfaces adjoining one another of thefloor elements (2.4) and the ceiling elements (2.5) have verticallyupward- and vertically downward-oriented free end portions.
 11. Theassembly of claim 1, wherein the vertical frame elements (2.3) have anangular cross section and are connected to one another at legsassociated with the side walls (2.1) by a connector (6).
 12. Theassembly of claim 1, wherein parts (5.1) of espagnolette locks areinserted into the abutting surfaces, oriented toward the side walls(2.1), of at least one of the vertical corner elements (2.3) and thefloor elements (2.4) and ceiling elements (2.5), which parts areengageable with further parts (5.2) of the espagnolette locks that forbracing with one of the inserted side walls (2.1) and the sealingmodules (3, 4) placed on the abutting surfaces are engageable with thefurther parts (5.2) of the espagnolette locks that are inserted into thesealing modules at opposed points; and sealing sets (7) are disposedbetween the abutting surfaces of the vertical corner elements (2.3), ofthe ceiling elements (2.5), and of the floor elements (2.4) and theadjoining faces of the side walls (2.1).
 13. The assembly of claim 1,wherein sealing sets (7) have a fireproof seal (7.2) which inflates whenheat develops and a moisture seal (7.1) toward an outside of the switchcabinet assembly (1).
 14. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the sealingmodules (3, 4) have an outer sheet-metal lining (3.1, 4.1) of C-shapedcross section and from a base surface disposed toward an interior of theswitch cabinet assembly (1), lateral legs are canted at a right angle,and form flangelike end legs oriented toward one another with their freeends, which are bent at a right angle; and at least one layer (I, II,III) of fireproof material is disposed in the interior of thesheet-metal lining (3.1, 4.1).
 15. The assembly of claim 1, wherein thevertical corner elements (2.3), at least near their longitudinal edgesoriented toward the side walls (2.1), and the floor elements (2.4) andthe ceiling elements (2.5), at least near their side edges adjoining oneanother, are provided, in a direction of thickness of the wall elements,with a shoulder so that in lining up, U-shaped rooms are formed; and atleast one layer (I) of the fireproof material is placed in the U-shapedrooms.
 16. The assembly of claim 6, wherein the wall elements, from theoutside inward, have a first layer (I) of a first fireproof material, asecond layer (II) of a second fireproof material, and a third layer(III) of a third fireproof material; and the sealing module (3, 4), fromthe outside inward in their interior with respect to the cabinetassembly (1), have at least one layer (II) of the second fireproofmaterial and a further layer (III) of the third fireproof material. 17.The assembly of claim 7, wherein the layer (I) placed in the U-shapedrooms comprises the first fireproof material; and between the layer (I)and the adjacent surface of the wall elements, fireproof seals (7.2)that inflate in response to a thermal action are placed over a length ofthe surface and at least intermittently in cross section over thesurface.
 18. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the abutting surfacesadjoining one another of the floor elements (2.4) and ceiling elements(2.5) have vertically upward- and vertically downward-oriented free endportions.